Political parties have remained silent on the recent Supreme Court judgement allowing sub-categorisation of Scheduled Castes (SCs). However, some individual leaders have welcomed the decision. Congress MP Mallu Ravi and DMK’s A Raja expressed that the apex court has fulfilled a long-standing demand crucial to social justice.
Lok Sabha members praised Telangana (formerly Andhra Pradesh), which had introduced sub-classification of Dalits, a policy struck down by the Supreme Court in the 2004 EV Chinnaiah judgement, and Tamil Nadu, which implemented a policy favouring the Dalit sub-group Arunthathiyars.
Mallu Ravi commented that the judgement would alleviate unrest among sections of SCs/STs, stating, “Provision for SCs was based on their status as underprivileged, and after 75 years, sub-categorisation is for the underprivileged among the Dalits.”
While the push for sub-classification comes primarily from the Madiga community, the dominant Mala community in Telangana opposes it.
A Raja noted that the judgement would benefit extremely backward sub-groups like the Arunthathiyars in Tamil Nadu.
Conversely, Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat from Jharkhand remarked that the judgement needs thorough examination, adding, “Reservation cannot be treated as a poverty alleviation measure.” Mallu Ravi emphasized that the judgment should pave the way for unity among Dalit sub-groups.
